San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-09-26
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from her head, disclosed her weary,
wOful face.
Ethel, my darling! Oh, my darling!
have you forgotten Desmond Vane?"
His voice reused her, and the hot
blood rushing TO her cheeks, she tried
to evade his embrace.
Not needing her weak efforts, he held
her firmly, tenderly, while he spoke.
Child, do not leave me now. Surely
all is forgotten and forgiven in year?
We were mad to have parted, for you
loved me even then. Come, own it, my
little onel"
And over his stern, troubled face,
spread a sweet, proud smile of cOnvic-
ton.
Slowly the graceful head dropped on
to his breast while turning her face to
meet his. The truthful eyes spoke what
the trembling lips almost refused to
say.
"Yes, Desmond, l did love you then,
but not as love you nOw," she said, at
length.
"Oh, happiness" he murmured, with
something like a sob in his throat; and,
bending, he pressed passionate kisses
upon her quivering mouth.
But as his lips touched hers she start
ed from him as if in acute bodily pain,
CRYING, in tones of bitter anguish,
"What have | said?-Oh, what have |
said? Forget-forgive it all; for, Des-
mOnd, there can be no love between usl"
"Why not" came the curt, cold ques-
ton.
Because | last night promised to be
Sir Desmond Leslie's wife"
Again the man spoke, 50 calmly, so
deliberately, as if all love had died out
at her command.
"If that be the case, | will press my
suit no further. Allow me to offer you
my congratulations, and wish you good
bye"
Then, raising his hat, he left her as
suddenly as he had appeared.
AS if in dream, Ethel turned and
slowly retraced her way to the house.
On the hall steps she met Bella, who
said, 81 have changed my mind, dear,
and am not going to church. Sir Des-
mond has arrived, so look your best,
and come with me to the library, where
he awaits you"
Oh, Bell, give me little time-just
few minutes!" pleaded the poor girl, as
she staggered to her friends side.
Slipping her arm round her waist,
Bella said, kindly, Courage, dear, it
will Soon be over; and if you object to
him kissing you just yet, do not sup
pose he will press you, for in spite of
his long lei mean ugly face-he is a
gentleman"
On entering the room Ethel saw her
mother seated by the fire, and, to her
utter amazement, at her side Desmond
Vane! But nowhere could she perceive
the unwieldy form of his uncle.
you here" she gasped. "Oh, what
does it all mean? Do tell mel" she en-
treated, piteOusly.
Going to her side, Vane took her
hand; at the same time, with his other
one, he drew from his breast-pOcket
small gray glove, saying, Look up, my
darling; you have promised to be Sir
Desmond Leslie's wife, | am he, and
am here to claim my own. Will you
still keep your promise to your motherp
or, better far, will you remember your
own sweet vow, made ayear ago to-day,
that you would give all the world to
the one who returned you thisp" Andhe
placed the long lost glove in her hand.
MY little one, you are all the world to
me. Can you, will you, give me your
own sweet self?"
"Of course she will, and only too hap
py!" laughed inCOrrigible Bell, as she
re-entered the room, accompanied by
Charlie and Cyril.
After cOngratulating Ethel, the mer-
ry girl explained to her that while she
was down in the north she had heard of
Sir Desmond's sudden death abroad,
and of Desmond Vane being left his
heir, provided he took the name of Les
lie. She Immediately wrote to the pres
ent BarOnet and to Derring, not to COM
municate the news to the Manor House
until they heard from her. At the same
time she kept up avigOrOus correspond
ence with Lady CaTlingfOTd, urging the
great necessity for Ethel to give up all
idea of Desmond Vane and marry DeS-
mOnd Leslie, thereby leading all to sup
pose it was to the old man, and not to
the young one, that Ethel was to give
her hand.
Did | not do it well?" she laughed.
"NO one guessed my secret. And how
did you get on this morning, Sir Des-
mOnd"
"Splendidly" he replied, echOing her
laugh. 81 made this poor little child
confess her love for me, and then left
her for | was determined to win her as
the penniless Captain, and not as Sir
Desmond Vane Leslie. Do you forgive
me, pet? All is fair in love or war, you
know. Come, say you are not angry"
Can | feel angry nOw?" Ethel whis-
pered, softly, as she slipped her little
hand gently into his.
There, Cissiel | told you last night
that you would spend happy Christ
mas Day, and you would not believe
me; neither would you credit my state
ment when | said your mother need
never leave CarlingfOrd."
NO; our nome Is saved, interrupted
Lady Cyril, solemnly, as she drew Ethel
to her side, and kissed her more affec-
tiOnately than she had done since her
babyhOOd. Now, thanks to the great
generosity of Sir Desmond, Cyril will
be able to pay off the mortgage on the
estate, and with ease, in few years, he
may become rich man again. And
now, my dear children, think, if you
would like to go to church, we should